The NanoPi Neo is a tiny computer with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, Ethernet and USB ports, and support for a number of accessories.

Measuring just 1.6″ x 1.6″ it’s smaller than most Raspberry Pi computers, and with a starting price of $7 it’s also an awfully affordable computer capable of running Ubuntu Linux.

Probably the best thing about the little computer? There are a bunch of accessories available including camera, LCD, compass, and battery add-ons. And now the maker of the NanoPi Neo has also launched a case that helps you build a network-attached storage (NAS) system from the little computer.

The NanoPi Neo NAS kit features an aluminum enclosure and heat sink, and a board that lets you connect a 2.5 inch SATA hard drive or SSD to the NanoPi Neo.

The case measures about 6″ x 3.9″ x 1.9″ and the enclosure is fanless, for silent operation.

It’s available right now for $13. That’s a promotional price, but the full price of $17 isn’t all that much higher. There’s is a catch though: a 12V, 2A power adapter will set you back another $10.

That brings the total price of the tiny computer, the enclosure, and the power supply to about $31. And that doesn’t include storage: there’s room for a 2.5 inch SATA hard drive or SSD inside the case.

via CNX Software

 

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13 replies on “NanoPi NEO kit lets you build your own network-attached storage system for about $30 (plus the price of a hard drive)”

    1. Use the network ofcourse.
      My Pi runs without problems simultaniously two Full-HD streams to our smart-tv’s.
      Used for file server, automated backups, downloading, ebook management, music storage and streaming to other devices, etc.
      So while that network isn’t super fast, its enough for most use cases. Just don’t expect speedy results when moving larges files. When I do I have plenty of other stuff to do while its moving so its a very cheap device both in initial cost as power usage.

  1. So I stepped through the process of purchasing without finalizing just to see….there were a couple of issues. The newer Neo2 doesn’t fit this case and the older Neo comes in two flavors, one with 256 MB of memory and one with 512 MB. The 512 version is not currently available (as of 4/4/17). The real deal breaker, though, is that the shipping of for the complete $31 kit is $22 from China. That definitely impacts the value proposition versus a ready built NAS of the type others have mentioned.

    1. Hell, now that I’m thinking about it, it might make for an interesting base station recorder for a two camera dash cam in a vehicle. One front facing cam and one rear facing cam. Already runs on 12V too and has additional battery backup if desired. Can you connect a cellular service to it too? GPS? Would make for a kick ass in-car (or home) media server too. Just need to think out of the box people…

    1. USB 2.0 interface to the drive, so you’re not losing much due to the drive itself. What you gain however is pretty low power consumption, maybe under 5W which is pretty crazy.

      1. A Western Digital My Book Lives runs LEDE as a lightweight and up-to-date Linux (it ran Debian initially), is more than well-equipped for a SoHo-grade NAS with its 800 MHz PPC 400-core and 256 MB RAM, takes a 3.5″ SATA and has a gigabit ethernet port. It runs on about 5 to 6 watts when idle.

        And they cost me $12 each, including the case, including the PSU, excluding the drive. I do own a stack of them, most of them converted over from Debian to LEDE. And they have been performing flawlessly for half a decade now.

        So yeah, sorry, I’m not particularly impressed by this offering.

        1. You’re comparing a new product to something that you obviously got refurbished or off loan or something. A new My Book Live costs ~$125+ (with a drive). Used ones without working hard drives go for ~$30 on EBay; i.e., about what this new product costs.

          1. I’m comparing a product you can and will have to tinker with to another. Lots of people discard their NAS inclosures unused just to get the contained drive.

            Comparing new items is fair enough. A ready-for-action My Cloud is about $25 more expensive than the hard drive it contains. With wall warts and all, including a warranty.

            My point is, this here is too limited (yes, there are 2.5″ drives for NAS, but still, eek) and/or not cheap enough for what it is trying to be. Absolutely no hate for the Pi platform and clones/competitors, it would for fine NAS hardware. But in my opinion, this product has neither a fitting enclosure nor a fitting price point.

        2. A lot of hate here, which I think is undeserved. If you’re just looking for a NAS, yeah, there might be better options. If you’re looking for a Pi with huge storage options and NAS capabilities, this might make more sense to you as a product.

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